Surgeon&#39;s powder dispensing machine



Oct. 23, 1962 c. B. PARSQNS, JR 3,05 ,8

SURGEON'S POWDER DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 20, 1960 v v fi INVENTOR .rz 52479 3 RaesoAqJ.

ATTORNEYS rtes trite This invention relate to a surgeons powder dispensing machine and has as its primary object the provision of an apparatus for dispensing powder to be applied to a surgeons hands after washing and before putting on surgical gloves.

An additional important object of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus which may be operated by the surgeon's foot, thus obviating the necessity of soil ing the sterile hands on a powder package, or, alternatively, of having the package opened by another person, as a nurse, for example.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device wherein surgical powder in individual packages is provided in rolled form, and the rolls are automatically fed to an opening device, and thence opened solely by foot pressure in a position where the powder will drop onto the surgeons hands.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device characterized by suction means which will prevent the dissemination of loose and unused powder into the air, a condition which frequently creates an explosion hazard.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device which is mobile, and which may be readily moved from place to place and located in position most advantageous for use.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which is provided with conductive casters obviating the creation of static electricity in the machine, which would create a further explosion hazard.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and utilize.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be ointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of dispensing machine embodying features of the instant invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a constructional detail; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the powder containing roll.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the device of the instant invention, generally indicated at 10, comprises a base 11 upon which is mounted a cabinet structure 12, of generally rectangular configuration, the base 11 bein mounted on casters 13 which in turn are mounted in rotatable brackets 14, the casters being of conductive material in order' to reduce the creation of static electricity in the apparatus.

The cabinet structure 12 includes an upstanding tubular member 15, and an overhanging top or upper portion ter 3,659,815 Fatented Oct. 23, 1fi2 16. The lower portion of cabinet structure 12 has a horizontal surface 17 forwardly of the tubular member 15, which contains a downwardly concave receptacle or sink 18 having a centrally positioned lower outlet 19. From the outlet 19 a tube 2% extends to a bottle or container 21, and terminates beneath the surface of water A second flexible conduit 23 ex- 2 contained therein. tends from the interior of the jar 21 to a. suction pump member 24, the latter, together with the jar 21 being mounted on a horizontal partition 25 which extends interiorly of the cabinet structure, and terminates in a vertical partition 26 interiorly of the device which extends upwardly and forms the front wall 27 of the tubular member 15. The arrangement is such that obviously powder which falls above the portion 18 is drawn through the opening 19 into the water jar 21, for future collection, and thus its diffusion into the ambient air is substantially precluded.

Front wall 27 curves forwardly as at 28 to form a lower wall 29 of upper portion 16, wall 29 being provided with a powder dispensing opening 30. A transverse shaft 31 extends across upper horizontal portion 16 and has mounted thereon a roll 32 of individual powder dispensing envelopes 33 (see FIG. 5). The envelopes 33 each contains sumcient powder for a ingle application to a surgeons hands, and are provided with score lines 34 on their undersides to permit the ready rupturing of an individual envelope when it passes across the upper portion of the opening 31' in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

Interior guide bafiles 35 and 36 direct the individual envelopes of the roll across the opening 30, While an interiorly positioned vertical bathe 37 directs the envelopes which have been opened downwardly through a chute between the walls 27 and 37 into a receptacle 38 which lies beneath the partition 35, from which the used envelopes may be collected through an access door 39 positioned in the front wall of lower portion 127 An access door 40 in the extending portion 16 permits removal and replacement of the roll 32 when exhausted. An additional access door 41 in the side of tubular member 15 is provided, as is an access door 42 adjacent the motor compartment containing the compressor 24 and the jar 21.

Means are provided for advancing the: roll 32, and breaking an individual envelope 33 along the score lines 34 and take the form of a foot pedal 45 which is positioned forwardly of the front wall 46 of lower compartment or receptacle 12. Pedal 45 is connected to a lever 47 which extends through an elongated slot 48 in wall 46, and is pivotally mounted on a transverse rod 49 positioned centrally of the lower portion of receptacle 12. A slot 50 in the opposite end of lever 47 is engaged by a pin 51 carried by the lower end of a vertical rod 52, which extends upwardly into the upper portion or compartment 16. A transverse pin 53 on the upper end of rod 52 engages in a slot 54 in a dog member 55, which is pivotally mounted on a transverse rod 56. A spring 57 normally biases rod 52 downwardly, or foot pedal 45 to its upper position, so that foot pressure on pedal 45 will lift the upper end of rod 52 to rotate dog downwardly or in a counterclockwise direction about axle 56. A tooth 58 is carried by the forward end of dog 55 and engages an oppositely positioned tooth 6d carried by a hammer member 61 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 62 extending transversely across the upper portion 60, the connection comprising an elongated arcuate slot 63. A forwardly projecting arm 64 comprises a portion of the member 61 and terminates in a rubber covered hammer portion 65 which is positioned immediately above the opening 30. Springs 66 normally bias hammer 65 downwardly. The arrangement is thus such that as tooth 58 is forced downwardly the hammer 65 is raised against the .3: bias of spring 66, until a point is reached where the tooth 58 disengages from the tooth 60, at which time the hammer 65 falls not only by gravity but aided by the spring tension of springs 66 to impact one of the packages 33 directly above the hole 30, splitting the same and causing its contents to fall downwardly toward the receptacle 18. The surgeons hands are positioned under the opening 30, and the powder thus falls over the hands and is sprinkled thereover, while the excess powder falls toward the concave receptacle 18 and is drawn by the suction pump 24 through the opening '19 into the water jar 21.

Means are associated with the dog 55 for advancing the used packages of the roll 32 after each package is perforated, and take the form of a tooth 67 which is pivoted in a recess 68 in the underside of dog 55, and which is spring biased by means of a spring 69 into engagement with a portion of the roll 32 which extends over the arcuate portion 68, the arrangement being such that if the dog 55 is moved downwardly to lift the hammer 65, the tooth at the same time forces the roll downwardly to bring a fresh and unopened powder package 33 into position over the opening 30.

The springs 66 are mounted at opposite ends of a cross shaft 76 which extends through the arm 64 to ensure equal pressure on the hammer 65 as the same is forced downwardly.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved powder dispensing machine for surgeons or the like which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a surgeons powder dispensing machine, a cabinet comprising a base, a housing having a top surface with an opening therein on said base, a tubular member extending upwardly from the rear of said housing, a projecting casing at the top of said tubular member overlying said top surface forming a space adapted for the introduction of a surgeons hands, said casing having a bottom wall with an opening therein, powder dispensing means in said casing overlying said opening in said bottom wall, suction means in said housing underlying said opening in said top surface, a foot operated lever for actuating said powder dispensing means, said powder dispensing means comprising a roll of individual packets of sterile powder, a hammer overlying said opening in said bottom wall beneath which a portion of said roll is passed, and means operated by said foot operated lever for raising said hammer, and allowing the same to fall to sever a packet over said opening.

2. In a surgeons powder dispensing machine, a cabinet comprising a base, a housing having a top surface with an opening therein on said base, a tubular member extending upwardly from the rear of said housing, a projecting casing at the top of said tubular member overlying said top surface forming a space adapted for the introduction of a surgeons hands, said casing having a bottom wall with an opening therein, powder dispensing means in said casing overlying said opening in said bottom wall, suction means in said housing underlying said opening in said top surface, a foot operated lever for actuating said powder dispensing means, said powder dispensing means comprising a roll of individual packets of sterile powder, a hammer overlying said opening in said bottom wall beneath which a portion of said roll is passed, means operated by .said foot operated lever for raising said hammer, allowing the same to fall to sever a packet over said opening, said last-mentioned means including a tooth on one end of said hammer, a dog pivotally mounted in said projecting casing, a tooth on said dog engaging said tooth on said hammer, and an operating rod actuated by said foot lever for moving said dog to move said teeth to raise said hammer, said teeth disengaging at a predetermined point to permit said hammer to fall.

3. In a surgeons powder dispensing machine, a cabinet comprising a base, a housing having a top surface with an opening therein on said base, a tubular member extending upwardly from the rear of said housing, a projecting casing at the top of said tubular member overlying said top surface forming a space adapted for the introduction of a surgeons hands, said casing having a bottom wall with an opening therein, powder dispensing means in said casing overlying said opening in said bottom wall, suction means in said housing underlying said opening in said top surface, a foot operated lever for actuating said powder dispensing means, said powder dispensing means comprising a roll of individual packets of sterile powder, a hammer overlying said opening in said bottom wall beneath which a portion of said roll is passed, means operated by said foot operated lever for raising said hammer, allowing the same to fall to sever a packet over said opening, said last-mentioned means including a tooth on one end of said hammer, a dog pivotally mounted in said projecting casing, a tooth on said dog engaging said tooth on said hammer, an operating rod actuated by said foot lever for moving said dog to move said teeth to raise said hammer, said teeth disengaging at a predetermined point to permit said hammer to fall, and spring means biasing said hammer to package rupturing position.

4. In a surgeons powder dispensing machine, a cabinet comprising a base, a housing having a top surface with an opening therein on said base, a tubular member extending upwardly from the rear of said housing, a projecting casing at the top of said tubular member overlying said top surface forming a space adapted for the introduction of a surgeons hands, said casing having a bottom wall with an opening therein, powder dispensing means in said casing overlying said opening in said bottom wall, suction means in said housing underlying said opening in said top surface, a foot operated lever for actuating said powder dispensing means, said powder dispensing means comprising a roll of individual packets of sterile powder, a hammer overlying said opening in said bottom wall beneath which a portion of said roll is passed, means operated by said foot operated lever for raising said hammer, allowing the same to fall to sever a packet over said opening, said last-mentioned means including a tooth on one end of said hammer, a dog pivotally mounted in said projecting casing, a tooth on said dog engaging said tooth on said hammer, an operating rod actuated by said foot lever for moving said dog to move said teeth to raise said hammer, said teeth disengaging at a predetermined point to permit said hammer to fall, spring means biasing said hammer to package rupturing position, and a tooth carried by said dog for moving said roll to introduce a fresh package of powder over said opening.

5 The structure of claim 1 wherein said suction means includes a suction pump, and a water jar positioned beneath said opening in said top surface, a flexible conduit communicating with said jar extending from said pump, and a second conduit communicating with said jar extending from said opening in said top surface.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein said cabinet is mounted on conductive casters to preclude the formation of static electricity.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,543,190 *Musekarnp Feb. 27, 1951 2,723,051 McCune Nov. 8, 1955 2,775,270 McKillop Dec. 25, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 894,151 Germany Oct. 22, 1953 

